As some of you might know, I was recently asked to participate in a radio discussion on an NPR affiliate radio call-in-talk show called, “HearSay with Cathy Lewis,” the subject being some of the provocative breast cancer awareness campaigns/ads that continue to dismay almost on a daily basis it sometimes seems. This invitation came about as a result of my recent article on Huffington Post called, “Where’s the Feminism in the Awareness?”
Here’s the link to the whrv/npr HearSay talk-radio discussion. Simply click on the download episode link further down on the page. The whole show is 50 minutes or so and well worth a listen, but granted, I am biased of course. I was impressed by the other two guests, the host and the listeners who called in as well.
If you don’t wish to listen to the whole thing, I’m on at around the 7:55 minute mark the first time, the 29:45 minute mark the second time and the 50 minute mark for closing remarks (which I did a really poor job of by the way…oh well, it is what it is, as they say…). Since this is my blog and you’re reading this, I’m assuming you want to listen to what I had to say, though again, the entire discussion is worth a listen.
If you choose to do so, thanks 
for listening. Just for fun, you can click on the radio to listen too!
And I have to ask:
Does the end justify the means?
Note: Gayle A. Sulik, Ph.D. and author of Pink Ribbon Blues, has written two compelling essays for Psychology Today which delve into this issue far better than I can here. The first is called, “Do Sexy Breast Cancer Campaigns Demean Women?” Her follow-up essay, “Sexy Breast Cancer Campaigns Do Demean Women. So What?” takes things a step further by explaining why it does matter. If you want to learn more about this issue, check them out.
Beth L. Gainer
Monday 4th of February 2013
Great job, Nancy, and it was wonderful hearing your voice again. I was thinking, "I actually met her!"
Regarding the discussion, it was thought-provoking and intelligent, and I liked the way people for and against these campaigns called in and contributed to intelligent dialogue.
You sounded really good, and I totally agree with you. Demeaning ads demean women, not save their lives. Also, demeaning ads harm men, too, for it is their loved ones whose lives are not being saved.
Nancy
Tuesday 5th of February 2013
Beth, Thanks so much for listening. Overall, I thought the discussion was pretty good. It was all very respectful, which counts for a lot these days. Thanks for saying I sounded good, I think you are probably a bit biased! And yes, trivializing women or a deadly disease can never be acceptable. That's the bottom line. Thanks for commenting.
Cate Conroy
Monday 14th of January 2013
Thanks for sharing your interview, speaking out and writing about this important issue. I recently came across this ad/promo done by a legitimate radio station in Florida: http://youtu.be/jjgJuj7J8EE It shows one of its DJs promoting an upcoming Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. He says that raising money to find a cure for breast cancer is important because we all want to save "second base." Second base? Really?? While he seems to be stuck on the adolescent baseball/sexual analogy, what about saving third base and home plate? Does he support finding a cure for cervical and prostate cancers, too? Who are the marketing boobs that approved of this ad? Someone should cut them off the payroll or at least cry foul against this absurd public announcement. This radio station probably thinks its little video is funny and cute, but those of us who've been diagnosed and profoundly affected by breast cancer (and that includes both women AND a significant number of men), will find it disgusting, sexist, completely misleading and spreading false information. It ignores the grim truth about breast cancer statistics and perpetuates the presumed role of the Susan G. Komen Foundation in saving breasts and lives. Can this video be for real, or is it some kind of parody done in extremely bad taste? Please tell me it's just a bad joke.
Nancy
Tuesday 15th of January 2013
Cate, I know what you mean... too much emphasis on saving boobs, not lives. It's another tacky ad. Sadly, I think it is for real. Thanks for listening to the radio discussion and for taking even more time to leave a thoughtful comment.
Kathi
Monday 14th of January 2013
So good to have this public discussion. And I'm glad that you had the opportunity to contribute thoughtfully. Great job, Nancy. xoxo
Nancy
Tuesday 15th of January 2013
Kathi, Discussion is always good. Thank you so much for listening and commenting. I have some improving to do in this kind of thing, but... Thanks again. xoxo
Julie Goodale
Monday 14th of January 2013
I've only now had a chance to listen. Very well done, Nancy! Terrific that she chose to focus on this issue for her show. A lot of good and thoughtful comments from all the guests and callers. It's so important to have these conversations.
Nancy
Tuesday 15th of January 2013
Julie, Thanks so much for listening. Yes, I thought it was terrific that Cathy Lewis took on this topic too. She seemed very well informed on the subject, too, I thought. Over all it was a thoughtful and very respectful conversation, which is always good. Thanks again for the time you took to listen and comment as well.
Susan Zager
Monday 14th of January 2013
I enjoyed listening to the radio show and I think it's so important to continue educating the public by showing that women are being trivialized in these campaigns that have nothing to do with the harsh realities of breast cancer. On the one hand we wanted awareness but the way that breast cancer has been portrayed as a sexy disease moved the public in to the wrong picture of what the disease is really about. I loved your closing points. It's so important that we continue to chip away at the problem so we can really see a change in exposing the truth about breast cancer with finding a way to prevent it, while we do everything we can to emphasize the issues and research needed for MBC. Great work Nancy! Thank you.XoXoXo- Susan
Nancy
Tuesday 15th of January 2013
Susan, Thanks so much for listening and for you unwavering support.